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The men’s European Championship was expanded to 24 teams for Euro 2016, with Wales benefitting by qualifying for their first major tournament since the 1958 World Cup.
Chris Coleman’s side went on to reach the semi-finals in France, setting in motion a successful period which saw them qualify for the next European Championship and the 2022 World Cup.
Wales’ women made their major finals debut at last year’s Euros when they were drawn in the same group as England, but Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland missed out on qualification.
“The Republic lost out to us going to Euro 2025, but if that was a 24-team tournament they’d have been there and that would have been a huge lift for their country,” Irishman Mooney added.
“We were beneficiaries last time and for the World Cup it’s our aim of course to get there but we are cognisant of the complexity of the current system with Fifa to qualify.”
Wales beat the Czech Republic on Tuesday to finish top of their 2027 World Cup qualifying group.
Wilkinson’s team must now navigate two European play-off ties, and they could also face an inter-confederation play-off after that.
Given that complex route, Wales see qualifying for Euro 2029 as a more realistic prospect, and an expanded tournament would enhance their chances.
“We’re very lucky and we have great friends at Uefa,” said Mooney, who used to work for Uefa.
“For example, Nadine Kessler, the chief of women and girls’ football, I worked very closely with and she’s someone who is very progressive in how she thinks. Uefa itself has been very progressive.
“[Former Wales captain] Laura McAllister is vice president of Uefa and would be very much somebody who can bring our voice to Uefa, which is great for us.
“Working with countries like our neighbours who are interested in this, we can bring those voices to Uefa and say, ‘Look, we understand the costs impact by increasing the amount of teams, but if you’re doing it for the men you should do it for the women too’.”
The men’s European Championship was expanded to 24 teams for Euro 2016, with Wales benefitting by qualifying for their first major tournament since the 1958 World Cup.
Chris Coleman’s side went on to reach the semi-finals in France, setting in motion a successful period which saw them qualify for the next European Championship and the 2022 World Cup.
Wales’ women made their major finals debut at last year’s Euros when they were drawn in the same group as England, but Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland missed out on qualification.
“The Republic lost out to us going to Euro 2025, but if that was a 24-team tournament they’d have been there and that would have been a huge lift for their country,” Irishman Mooney added.
“We were beneficiaries last time and for the World Cup it’s our aim of course to get there but we are cognisant of the complexity of the current system with Fifa to qualify.”
Wales beat the Czech Republic on Tuesday to finish top of their 2027 World Cup qualifying group.
Wilkinson’s team must now navigate two European play-off ties, and they could also face an inter-confederation play-off after that.
Given that complex route, Wales see qualifying for Euro 2029 as a more realistic prospect, and an expanded tournament would enhance their chances.
“We’re very lucky and we have great friends at Uefa,” said Mooney, who used to work for Uefa.
“For example, Nadine Kessler, the chief of women and girls’ football, I worked very closely with and she’s someone who is very progressive in how she thinks. Uefa itself has been very progressive.
“[Former Wales captain] Laura McAllister is vice president of Uefa and would be very much somebody who can bring our voice to Uefa, which is great for us.
“Working with countries like our neighbours who are interested in this, we can bring those voices to Uefa and say, ‘Look, we understand the costs impact by increasing the amount of teams, but if you’re doing it for the men you should do it for the women too’.”
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| 📰 Publicación: | www.bbc.com |
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| 📅 Fecha Original: | 2026-06-11 10:18:00 |
| 🔗 Enlace: | Ver artículo original |
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